[Clinical results of perftorane use in comprehensive treatment of patients with odontogenic phlegmons].

Analysis of data collected during observation upon 76 patients with odontogenic phlegmon of maxillofacial region of different severity in complex treatment plan of whom preparation Perftorane was included according to the worked out method. Based upon received clinical, morphological, cytological and biochemical results the conclusion was derived that the application of the worked out method of perftorane use optimized traditional method of treatment of patients with odontogenic phlegmon of maxillofacial region exerting antihypoxic, desintoxicatic and antioxidant actions that led finally to speedy clearing of suppurative focus and to stimulation reparative processes in the wound.

[Morphological criteria of treatment efficiency in patients with acute pyoinflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial area]. / Morfologicheskie kriterii éffektivnosti lecheniia bol'nykh s ostrymi gnoino-vospalitel'nymi zabolevaniiami cheliustno-litsevoi oblasti.

Morphological parameters (tissue necrosis area, area of connective tissue sites, neutrophil/round cells ratio, activities of the nucleolar organizer areas) are suggested as criteria for evaluating the treatment efficiency in patients with maxillofacial pyoinflammatory diseases.

Truncation of the C terminus of the rat brain Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger RBE-1 (NCX1.4) impairs surface expression of the protein.

The C terminus of the rat brain Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger (RBE-1; NCX1. 4) (amino acids 875-903) is modeled to contain the last transmembrane alpha helix (amino acids 875-894) and an intracellular extramembraneous tail of 9 amino acids (895-903). Truncation of the last 9 C-terminal amino acids, Glu-895 to stop, did not significantly impair functional expression in HeLa or HEK 293 cells. Truncation, however, of 10 amino acids (Leu-894 to stop; mutant C10) reduced Na(+) gradient-dependent Ca(2+) uptake to 35-39% relative to the wild type parent exchanger, and further truncation of 13 or more amino acids resulted in expression of trace amounts of transport activity. Western analysis indicated that Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger protein was produced whether transfection was carried out with functional or non-functional mutants. Immunofluorescence studies of HEK 293 cells expressing N-Flag epitope-tagged wild type and mutant Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchangers revealed that transport activity in whole cells correlated with surface expression. All cells expressing the wild type exchanger or C9 exhibited surface expression of the protein. Only 39% of the cells expressing C10 exhibited surface expression, and none was detected in cells transfected with non-functional mutants C13 and C29. Since functional and non-functional mutants were glycosylated, the C terminus is not mandatory to translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Endoglycosidase H digestion of [(35)S]methionine-labeled protein derived from wild type Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger and from C10 indicated that resistance to the digestion was acquired after 1 and 5 h of chase, respectively. C29 did not acquire detectable resistance to endoglycosidase H digestion even after 10 h of chase. Taken together, these results suggest that the "cellular quality control machinery" can tolerate the structural change introduced by truncation of the C terminus up to Ser-893 albeit with reduced rate of ER-->Golgi transfer and reduced surface expression of the truncated protein. Further truncation of C-terminal amino acids leads to retention of the truncated protein in the ER, no transfer to the Golgi, and no surface expression.

[Myasthenia onset in elderly patients]. / Debiut miastenii u lits starcheskogo vozrasta.

Possibility of myasthenia debut at old age is shown. 5 cases of 73-87 year-olds with the diagnosis-generalized form of myasthenia are reported. Peculiarities of clinical manifestations in this age group are described. Polymorbidity in the individuals of old age is noted. It is recommended to include vasoactive preparations in the scheme of therapy.

Was the formation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 initially a catabolic pathway?

Following solar ultraviolet radiation, epidermal 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to previtamin D3, which then undergoes a thermal isomerization into vitamin D3. The metabolism of vitamin D3, which is usually considered as an inactive compound, gives rise to the active hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, following two hydroxylation steps occurring in liver and kidney. Here, we propose that this anabolic pathway can also be interpreted as a catabolic one leading to the degradation of the photoproducts of 7-dehydrocholesterol, for which a specific biological role in the skin is proposed.

Changes in the menstrual bleeding of users of a subdermal contraceptive implant of nomegestrol acetate (Uniplant) do not influence sexual frequency, sexual desire, or sexual enjoyment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of menstrual changes induced by a nomegestrol acetate subdermal contraceptive implant (Uniplant; Thermex, Bahia, Brazil) on users' sexuality. DESIGN: Prospective observational survey. SETTING: San Borja-Arriarán Hospital, University of Chile, School of Medicine. PATIENT(S): Normally cycling healthy women and their partners. INTERVENTION(S): Structured interview before and during use of the contraceptive. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE(S): Sexual frequency, desire, and enjoyment; perception of health; and contraceptive satisfaction. RESULT(S): During the use of the implant more women reported irregular cycles (32% versus 11%) and vaginal spotting (38% versus 19%). Frequency of sexual relations was unchanged (2.3 versus 2.5/wk) but the percent of couples engaging in sexual relations during vaginal spotting increased (28% versus 11%). There was no significant difference in the percent of men or women who reported an increase, or decrease, in perceived sexual desire, sexual enjoyment, or perception of health during the use of Uniplant. CONCLUSION(S): Despite the alterations in menstrual cyclicity and the occurrence of spotting, the use of a contraceptive subdermal implant of nomegestrol acetate did not effect desire for, enjoyment of, or frequency of sexual relations in users.

PIP: Findings are presented from a study evaluating the effect of menstrual changes induced by a nomegestrol acetate subdermal contraceptive implant (Uniplant) on users' sexuality. The Uniplant implant evaluated is manufactured by Thermex of Bahia, Brazil. New subjects enrolled in a phase III clinical trial of the implant at San Borja-Arriaran Hospital, University of Chile, School of Medicine were observed prospectively. The participants were 118 normally cycling healthy women of median age 28 years and 60 male partners of median age 31 years. A structured interview was held before and during use of the contraceptive. Before insertion of the implant, 11% of the women reported irregular menstrual cycles, 19% reported vaginal spotting, and 11% of the couples reported engaging in sexual relations during vaginal spotting. During use of the implant, 32% of the women reported irregular cycles, 38% reported vaginal spotting, and 28% of the couples reported engaging in sexual relations during vaginal spotting. The frequency of sexual relations remained unchanged at 2.3-2.5 acts of coitus per weeks. There was no significant difference in the percentage of men or women who reported an increase or decrease in perceived sexual desire, sexual enjoyment, or perception of health during the use of Uniplant.

Differential expression of M-CSF, LIF, and TNF-alpha genes in normal and malignant rat glial cells: regulation by lipopolysaccharide and vitamin D.

The effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) on the expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) genes in primary rat astrocytes and C6 glioma cells was examined. The results show that the hormone differentially regulates the cytokine mRNA in the two cell types. 1,25-(OH)2D3 augments M-CSF and LIF mRNA in C6 glioma cells, while lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has minimal effects. When LPS and 1,25-(OH)2D3 are used in combination, a strong synergistic effect upon the induction of M-CSF and LIF genes is observed. No TNF-alpha transcript has been detected in C6 glioma cells under any stimulus conditions used. In contrast, 1,25-(OH)2D3 has no pronounced effect on M-CSF, LIF, and TNF-alpha transcripts in primary astrocytes when used as a sole stimulus, while treatment with LPS strongly enhances the levels of the three cytokines. However, when 1,25-(OH)2D3 is used in combination with LPS, a partial reduction in LPS-induced levels of M-CSF and TNF-alpha mRNA is observed. The overall results indicate that genes coding for some inflammatory cytokines obey distinct regulatory mechanisms in C6 cells and in primary astrocytes. They also suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3, by altering the response of astrocytes to an inflammatory stimulus, could participate in the regulation of the CNS immune response.

Heterogeneity and lability of endogenous digitalis-like substances in the plasma of the toad, Bufo marinus.

Three major groups of endogenous digitalis-like substances (EDLS) have been identified in the plasma of the toad, Bufo marinus. One group of compounds, present in fresh plasma, is composed of chromatographically homogeneous polar conjugates, principally bufadienolide 3-sulfates, which exhibit relatively weak Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) inhibitory activity. A second and larger group of compounds, also found in fresh plasma, includes chromatographically heterogeneous conjugates, which are effective inhibitors of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase; these compounds possess properties similar to those of bufotoxins. The third group of EDLS consists of free unconjugated bufadienolides, which are also effective Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitors. These unconjugated bufadienolides are present in relatively low concentrations in fresh toad plasma, but appreciable quantities are enzymatically generated from conjugates (believed to consist principally of bufotoxins) during the in vitro incubation of plasma. We suggest that the extent to which circulating polar EDLS are enzymatically deconjugated in vivo may be important in the regulation of the digitalis-sensitive Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase of toad brain, the only known digitalis-sensitive Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the toad.

The putative amino-terminal signal peptide of the cloned rat brain Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger gene (RBE-1) is not mandatory for functional expression.

The rat brain Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger (RBE) gene, as well as other isoforms of this protein family, can be organized into 12 transmembrane alpha helices, the first of which was proposed by Durkin et al. (14) to constitute a cleavable signal peptide. We have prepared three amino-terminal mutants, in which 21, 26, and 31 amino acids beyond the initiating methionine were deleted. The deletions include the hydrophobic core of the putative signal peptide (N21), the entire putative signal peptide and parts of the putative signal peptidase cleavage site (N26), and the entire putative signal peptide and putative signal peptidase cleavage site (N31). All three mutant clones were transiently expressed in HeLa cells. The average Na+ gradient-dependent Ca2+ transport activity of the mutant exchangers was 108% (N21), 37.2% (N26), and 60.06% (N31) of the wild-type clone. Mutation of the putative cleavage site by an exchange of Ala-32 --> Asp, resulted in a decrease in Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity to 7.7%, relative to the wild-type exchanger. Functional reconstitution of the proteins that were expressed in the transfected cells, resulted in transport activities of: 60.1% (N21), 26.75% (N26), 85.36% (N31), and 31% (Ala-32 --> Asp) relative to the wild-type exchanger. Western blot analysis of the protein profile of RBE-1, N21, N26, N31 and Ala-32 --> Asp-transfected HeLa cells was carried out by using an antipeptide antibody directed against a pentadecapeptide segment derived from the large putative cytoplasmic loop of the cloned rat exchanger gene. In the total cell extract and in the plasma membrane-enriched fraction, in addition to a major protein band of about 125 kDa, which corresponds to the molecular mass of the mature fully processed Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, an additional protein of about 135 kDa is revealed in the profile of N21- and N26-transfected cells. This band is not detected in the protein profile of RBE-1, N31, or Ala-32 -->Asp. The amino-terminal truncated mutants of the cloned Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger could be expressed and processed also in a reticulocyte lysate supplemented with dog microsomes. Our results suggest that the putative signal peptide of the cloned Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger gene does not play a mandatory role in functional expression of the protein in HeLa cells.

Attitudes and practice of couples regarding sexual relations during the menses and spotting.

To determine attitudes and practices regarding sexual relations during menstruation and vaginal spotting, a cross-sectional descriptive survey was performed at the Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. A total of 287 women and 206 men were randomly selected from an urban population. Attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding sexual relations during vaginal bleeding were surveyed and stratified by educational level and other demographic characteristics. Overall, 70% of women and 72% of men were found to avoid sexual relations during menstruation. Fifty-four percent of women and 60% of men avoided sexual relations during vaginal spotting. Women with higher education (technical or university) were less likely to avoid sexual intercourse compared to those with a lower educational level (basic or secondary education) during menstruation (73% vs. 57%) and vaginal spotting (69% vs. 34%). Men with a higher educational level (university) avoided intercourse less frequently when their partner was spotting (48% vs. 64%). As many methods of contraception affect a woman's menstrual cycle, they therefore may affect the intimacy of a couple. Counseling and education regarding the menstrual cycle and expected alterations by a contraceptive method may reduce any negative impact of a contraceptive device on a couple's sexual life.

Cloning of two isoforms of the rat brain Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger gene and their functional expression in HeLa cells.

Two functional isoforms of the rat brain Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger were isolated from a lambda ZAP hippocampus cDNA library. The open reading frame of clone RBE-1 codes for a protein 935 amino acids long, and that of clone RBE-2 codes for a protein 958 amino acids long. Expression HeLa cells of Na+ gradient dependent Ca2+ transport activity was determined following transfection of the cells with either RBE-1 or RBE-2. Both clones expressed proteins that exchange Na+ with Ca2+ in an electrogenic manner and none of them exhibited a dependency of the antiport on K, since they transported Ca2+ in an Na+ gradient dependent manner in external choline chloride as well.

Molecular and mechanistic heterogeneity of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger.

1. Studying the effect of K+ on Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in rat brain SPMs revealed that a consistent stimulation was obtained. This stimulation persisted also when FCCP was included in the K(+)-containing reaction mixture to minimize the effect of membrane potential on the electrogenic process. 2. Using Rb+ as a K+ analogue revealed that it was cotransported with Ca2+ in a Na+ gradient-dependent manner. The ratio between the amount of Ca2+/Rb+ transported in rat brain SPMs in a Na+ gradient-dependent manner suggests that not all the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchangers in that preparation cotransport Rb+ (K+) with Ca2+. This is supported also by the finding that Na+ gradient-dependent Ca2+ influx can proceed in rat brain SPMs in the complete absence of K+ although to a lesser extent. 3. Protein purification studies and immunological characterization indicate that a 70-kDa protein is consistently detected in rat brain SPMs. Immunological characterization of the proteins expressed in the 14-18 S mRNA-injected Xenopus oocyte in conjunction with Na+ gradient dependent Ca2+ uptake activity or in the same mRNA-fortified reticulocyte lysate suggest that proteins of about 70 kDa are specifically synthesized. 4. Torpedo electric organ Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger differs at least in two respects from the rat brain Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger: It has a low affinity to Na+ (K0.5 = 170 mM), and it reaches maximal activity between 15-20 degrees C. Reconstitution studies suggest that the temperature difference might reflect a difference in the proteins themselves rather then a difference in membrane fluidity due to a difference in the membrane lipid composition.

The expression of rat brain synaptic plasma membrane Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity in Xenopus oocytes.

Injection of Xenopus oocytes with mRNA isolated from 1-day-old rat brains leads to expression of Na+ gradient-dependent Ca2+ uptake activity. Size fractionation of the mRNA by sucrose density gradient centrifugation reveals that an mRNA fraction enriched in 14-18 S mRNA is responsible for the transport activity. Plasma membrane proteins isolated from oocytes injected with total or 14-18 S enriched fraction of rat brain mRNA contain proteins of about 70-kDa molecular mass recognized by a polyclonal antibody prepared against the purified 70-kDa rat brain Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger. In control H2O-injected oocytes, no proteins are recognized by the anti-70-kDa antibody.